Allison's Book Report

“Sekret Machines: Chasing Shadows” by Tom DeLonge and A.J. Hartley

For this week's Book Report, I dug into my husband's stacks again — and what I found is the first book in a whole series of sci-fi alien/military drama, written by a pop-punk legend, and I think you're going to love it!

“Sekret Machines: Chasing Shadows,” written by musician Tom DeLonge and author A.J. Hartley, is a thrilling sci-fi adventure that dives deep into the intriguing world of UFOs, military cover-ups, and advanced aerial technology. Many people know DeLonge best as the founder, guitarist, and co-lead vocalist of the popular pop-punk band Blink-182, as well as Angels & Airwaves. Beyond his successful music career, DeLonge has spent decades pursuing his interest in ufology, aerospace technology, and government secrecy, eventually founding To The Stars Academy to research unidentified aerial phenomena alongside former high-ranking government officials and defense insiders. He co-wrote “Sekret Machines” to draw on accounts of classified reports, insider testimony, and declassified historical records and frame them within an accessible, thrilling fictional narrative, exploring the potential national security implications of mysterious craft reportedly flying in our airspace.

The story follows several core characters whose lives collide as they stumble upon secrets that world powers are desperate to protect at all costs. You meet Jennifer, an heiress carrying a troubled past, who begins uncovering mysterious details surrounding her late father’s involvement in top-secret defense projects and aerospace manufacturing. Meanwhile, Tim, a dedicated journalist, starts pulling at threads regarding unexplained aerial phenomena and quickly finds himself tangled in a web far more dangerous than he ever anticipated. At the same time, military pilot Alan Reyes experiences a terrifying, inexplicable encounter in the sky during a routine mission, completely shattering his understanding of modern aviation and military capabilities. Across the globe, an older man named Jerzy struggles with haunting memories from World War II, carrying decades-old secrets about experimental aerospace technology and hidden underground research programs.

As their individual journeys intersect, the characters realize that humanity is caught in the middle of something far larger than any single nation. The book explores the compelling idea that advanced, seemingly alien technology is actually being reverse-engineered and fought over by human governments in total secrecy for power and control.

What makes the novel so engaging is how grounded it feels despite its massive, global scope. DeLonge and Hartley craft a story that reads like a high-stakes military thriller while subtly weaving in actual phenomena reported by real-world military pilots and intelligence insiders. The narrative maintains a steady, exciting momentum as the characters push closer to the heart of the global conspiracy, asking big, provocative questions about what is really flying in our skies without giving away the ending. It is a suspenseful, eye-opening ride that leaves you eagerly reaching for the next installment in the series.

I know you will love this week's pick! Don't forget to check out my Instagram @allison.the.reader for more book recommendations!